Government Careers

  • Deputy General Counsel

  • Central Garden & Pet
  • Walnut Creek, California 94598 United States View Map

Description

We are seeking a highly accomplished, business-oriented attorney to serve as Deputy General Counsel and a key leader of our Legal Team. Reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer, this role will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and play acritical role in shaping the Company's legal, regulatory, and risk management strategy.
The Deputy General Counsel will provide enterprise-wide legal counsel across a broad range of complex matters, including litigation, employment, privacy, regulatory compliance, and strategic business initiatives. This role will partner closely with executive leadership to support Central's continued growth, safeguard the organization's interests, and ensure legal strategies are aligned with business objectives.
The ideal candidate combines deep legal expertise with exceptional judgment, executive presence, and a practical, solutions-oriented approach to managing risk in a dynamic and evolving business environment. Successful candidates will demonstrate an ability to broaden the scope of their responsibilities, and adjust flexibly to the critical business and legal needs of the company. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Litigation, Disputes & Risk Management

  • Lead the Company's litigation and dispute resolution strategy, overseeing a diverse portfolio of matters including commercial disputes, product liability, intellectual property, employment claims, class actions, and government or regulatory investigations.
  • Direct strategic case assessments, risk analyses, settlement evaluations, and overall dispute management.
  • Manage and optimize relationships with outside counsel, including budgeting, performance management, and matter oversight.
  • Partner with business leaders to proactively identify, mitigate, and resolve disputes before escalation.
  • Oversee enterprise eDiscovery programs including litigation holds and data collection.

Employment Law & Workforce Strategy

  • Serve as the primary legal advisor to Human Resources and business leaders on employment law, workforce strategy, employee relations, accommodations, compliance, investigations, and risk mitigation.
  • Counsel leaders on complex and sensitive employment matters.
  • Lead sensitive internal investigations and advise on risk mitigation strategies.
  • Lead employment related compliance training and policy development.

Privacy, Data Governance & Compliance

  • Provide strategic guidance regarding privacy, data governance, information management, and evolving regulatory requirements.
  • Partner with Technology, Information Security, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations teams to support privacy and compliance programs.
  • Advise on data collection, use, sharing, retention, and incident response matters.

Legal Department Leadership

  • Help establish departmental priorities and drive execution of strategic legal initiatives.
  • Partner closely with the Chief Legal Officer to enhance legal operations, improve processes, and develop scalable solutions that support the Company's growth.
  • Act as a trusted resource and advisor across the organization, helping business leaders navigate complex legal and regulatory challenges.
  • Serve as a delegate for the Chief Legal Officer on designated matters and cross-functional initiatives.
QUALIFICATIONS Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with the California Bar, or eligibility for Registered In-House Counsel status. 12–15+ years of progressively responsible legal experience, including a combination of top-tier law firm and in-house counsel experience. Significant experience leading complex litigation, employment counseling, investigations, and dispute resolution strategies. Strong background advising senior executives on privacy, compliance, commercial, and corporate legal matters. Demonstrated ability to operate effectively at the executive level and influence business decisions across a matrixed organization. Proven experience managing outside counsel and balancing legal risk with commercial objectives. Exceptional judgment, leadership skills, and executive presence. Outstanding communication, negotiation, and relationship-building capabilities. Unwavering integrity, discretion, and commitment to ethical leadership. WORKING CONDITIONS Hybrid working environment (currently 3 days in the office, though subject to change) Up to 20% travel No relocation assistance available POSITION INFORMATION This position pays $250,000-310,000 per year depending on experience BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Free Life and Disability Insurance Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts 401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution Paid vacation, holidays and sick time Employee Assistance Program Access to thousands of free online courses Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more! Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications) Referral Program with cash bonus Access to on-demand pay Paid parental leave Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT), (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With fiscal 2024 net sales of $3.2 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the pet and garden industries. The Company's innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Four Paws®, Kaytee®, Nylabone® and Pennington®, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities, and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central is based in Walnut Creek, California, with 6,450 employees primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

#LI-JH1

Description

We are seeking a highly accomplished, business-oriented attorney to serve as Deputy General Counsel and a key leader of our Legal Team. Reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer, this role will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and play acritical role in shaping the Company's legal, regulatory, and risk management strategy.
The Deputy General Counsel will provide enterprise-wide legal counsel across a broad range of complex matters, including litigation, employment, privacy, regulatory compliance, and strategic business initiatives. This role will partner closely with executive leadership to support Central's continued growth, safeguard the organization's interests, and ensure legal strategies are aligned with business objectives.
The ideal candidate combines deep legal expertise with exceptional judgment, executive presence, and a practical, solutions-oriented approach to managing risk in a dynamic and evolving business environment. Successful candidates will demonstrate an ability to broaden the scope of their responsibilities, and adjust flexibly to the critical business and legal needs of the company. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Litigation, Disputes & Risk Management

  • Lead the Company's litigation and dispute resolution strategy, overseeing a diverse portfolio of matters including commercial disputes, product liability, intellectual property, employment claims, class actions, and government or regulatory investigations.
  • Direct strategic case assessments, risk analyses, settlement evaluations, and overall dispute management.
  • Manage and optimize relationships with outside counsel, including budgeting, performance management, and matter oversight.
  • Partner with business leaders to proactively identify, mitigate, and resolve disputes before escalation.
  • Oversee enterprise eDiscovery programs including litigation holds and data collection.

Employment Law & Workforce Strategy

  • Serve as the primary legal advisor to Human Resources and business leaders on employment law, workforce strategy, employee relations, accommodations, compliance, investigations, and risk mitigation.
  • Counsel leaders on complex and sensitive employment matters.
  • Lead sensitive internal investigations and advise on risk mitigation strategies.
  • Lead employment related compliance training and policy development.

Privacy, Data Governance & Compliance

  • Provide strategic guidance regarding privacy, data governance, information management, and evolving regulatory requirements.
  • Partner with Technology, Information Security, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations teams to support privacy and compliance programs.
  • Advise on data collection, use, sharing, retention, and incident response matters.

Legal Department Leadership

  • Help establish departmental priorities and drive execution of strategic legal initiatives.
  • Partner closely with the Chief Legal Officer to enhance legal operations, improve processes, and develop scalable solutions that support the Company's growth.
  • Act as a trusted resource and advisor across the organization, helping business leaders navigate complex legal and regulatory challenges.
  • Serve as a delegate for the Chief Legal Officer on designated matters and cross-functional initiatives.
QUALIFICATIONS Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with the California Bar, or eligibility for Registered In-House Counsel status. 12–15+ years of progressively responsible legal experience, including a combination of top-tier law firm and in-house counsel experience. Significant experience leading complex litigation, employment counseling, investigations, and dispute resolution strategies. Strong background advising senior executives on privacy, compliance, commercial, and corporate legal matters. Demonstrated ability to operate effectively at the executive level and influence business decisions across a matrixed organization. Proven experience managing outside counsel and balancing legal risk with commercial objectives. Exceptional judgment, leadership skills, and executive presence. Outstanding communication, negotiation, and relationship-building capabilities. Unwavering integrity, discretion, and commitment to ethical leadership. WORKING CONDITIONS Hybrid working environment (currently 3 days in the office, though subject to change) Up to 20% travel No relocation assistance available POSITION INFORMATION This position pays $250,000-310,000 per year depending on experience BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Free Life and Disability Insurance Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts 401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution Paid vacation, holidays and sick time Employee Assistance Program Access to thousands of free online courses Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more! Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications) Referral Program with cash bonus Access to on-demand pay Paid parental leave Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT), (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With fiscal 2024 net sales of $3.2 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the pet and garden industries. The Company's innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Four Paws®, Kaytee®, Nylabone® and Pennington®, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities, and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central is based in Walnut Creek, California, with 6,450 employees primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

#LI-JH1
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